Book excerpt: Football is not just a beautiful game, but a global obsession. Every four years, football kicks off a frenzy with every match, every player and every goal being analysed with fervour and recorded with vigour. This essential guide is a companion volume for every football-crazy fan who wants facts, statistics and data right on hand. The Football Fanatic?s Essential Guide is jam-packed with important and fascinating information on international matches and players, and India?s role in football history. Put together by reputed sports broadcaster and columnist Novy Kapadia ? one of India?s foremost football experts ? this compendium is invaluable for every passionate enthusiast of this legendary game.